The Hawk (Highland Guard #2)(25)

He paused for a moment, considering what to tell her. “My men call me Hawk.”

“That explains the sail.”

“Aye, and the prow of the boat.” He pointed to the carving, though it was too dark to see.

“Just like the dragon ships,” she said with a shudder.

He grinned—back to the Viking again. “It’s meant to ward off sea monsters and other terrifying beasts.”

“And what wards off you?”

He chuckled. The lass was definitely entertaining.

She tilted her head, the hazy moonlight casting her features in a ghostly glow. “I’m surprised that I’ve never heard of you.”

“Why should you? I’m just a regular ol’ pirate, trying to eke out a living the only way I know how.”

From the sound she made, he guessed that his pretense of modesty didn’t fool her one bit. “Your talents are wasted as a pirate. Have you ever thought of putting those skills to lawful use?”

“For whom?” He watched her carefully, wondering if she’d in fact heard something. “King Edward?”

She shrugged. “Among others. My brother-in—” She stopped so suddenly, he wondered what she’d been about to say. “Many people would pay well for a man of your skills.”

The lass was hiding something, he’d bet his ship on it. But then again, so was he. “I appreciate your advice,” he laughed. “But I prefer the freedom of being beholden to no one but myself.”

“You aren’t married then?”

He resisted the urge to shoot back with a definitive “hell no.” Instead, he gave her a teasing wink. “Not yet, but I’m always looking, if you’d care to apply for the position.” Her eyes widened and before she could form a reply, he added, “But I have to warn you, there’s quite a bit of competition.”

He was disappointed when her expression didn’t even flicker. Instead, her eyes grazed over his face in a way that made him vaguely uncomfortable. “I’ll just bet.” She gave him the perfect condescending nursemaid smile. “Superficial charms can be amusing … for a time.”

Erik frowned. Superficial? What did she mean by superficial? He’d been trying to get a rise out of her, yet somehow she’d managed to put him on the defensive. It wasn’t a position he was used to, and he sure as hell didn’t like it.

The lass wasn’t acting the way she should at all.

Taking advantage of his shocked silence, she said, “Please, you seem like a reasonable enough sort. If you won’t take me back, will you at least let me go? I can find my way back—”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said, cutting off her entreaty.

“But why?” she protested. “I swear I heard nothing about what you and that man were talking about. Why won’t you believe me?”

He wasn’t as immune to her pleas as he wanted to be. He hated denying women anything. He hardened his gaze, trying to ensure she would stop asking. “Your pleas are useless. I will not change my mind. I will return you as soon as it is safe to do so—and not before.”

Her eyes flashed in the darkness, and her lips pursed tight. “You are being ridiculous. This is madness. Do you even know where you are going?”

“Of course I bloody well know where I am going.” As if he would ever get lost.

She looked as though she didn’t believe him. “You can’t mean to sail around all night. You have to put in somewhere. It’s almost dawn and the English will be looking for you. Besides”—she indicated Randolph—”your man needs tending.”

You have to. Erik didn’t enjoy being told what to do, especially by a tiny lass whom he could lift over his head with one hand. Nursemaid Ellie was going to have to learn that she was not the one in charge. But despite the bossy edge in her voice that made him want to grind his teeth, Erik smiled. “Thank you for the reminder.”

He suspected he was about to get the rise out of her that he’d wanted before—tenfold. She could try all she wanted, but she would never be able to manage him. Still, watching her try was going to be amusing.

Her brow furrowed. “What reminder?”

“We had a deal.” He shook his head in mock chagrin. “I usually don’t like to do this until we know each other a little better. But for you I’ll make an exception.” He stood up and motioned to Domnall. “Tie her up.”

Her gasp of outrage was all the satisfaction he needed to assure himself that he was no longer the one on the defensive. Ah, the world was flat once again.

        *

Overgrown … arrogant … pirate!

Ellie had never been treated so ignobly in her life. Bound and gagged like a common prisoner! She didn’t know whether she was more outraged or humiliated. Never mind that the linen bonds were loosely tied or that her punishment was undoubtedly deserved—the blasted pirate didn’t need to enjoy it so much. And from the broad smile and the way his eyes crinkled up every time he looked at her, she knew he was enjoying every minute of it.

Gallant, ha! He was a loathsome scourge, and she would do well not to forget it.

Ellie spent the better part of the next hour cursing him to perdition—drawing on an impressive repertoire of oaths built from years of being surrounded by brothers—before sleep finally swallowed her anger.